Home > Salary > New Zealand > Operating Engineer
An operating engineer is a skilled professional responsible for operating, maintaining, and repairing heavy machinery and equipment used in construction, manufacturing, and other industries. They work with a variety of equipment, such as cranes, bulldozers, excavators, loaders, and forklifts, to ensure smooth operations and efficient production. Operating engineers are trained to interpret blueprints, operate controls, and perform routine maintenance tasks to keep the equipment in optimal condition. They are also responsible for monitoring safety protocols and ensuring compliance with regulations.
Estimated Yearly Salary: 127,482 NZD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 10,624 NZD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,452 NZD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 61 NZD per hour
Values are pre-tax
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Estimated Monthly Salary: 10,300 NZD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,377 NZD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 59 NZD per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-05
Estimated Yearly Salary: 63,928 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 5,327 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,229 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 31 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
3 %
Data confidence is - relatively high
Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
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Estimated Yearly Salary: 127,482 NZD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 10,624 NZD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,452 NZD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 61 NZD per hour
By working as Operating Engineer a person can save up to 3,389 USD per month or 40,667 USD yearly. Values are pre-tax.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in New Zealand, see costs of living in New Zealand.
Estimated Yearly Salary for Operating Engineer
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Data as of 2025
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Operating Engineer salary in New Zealand
Average Yearly Salary of Operating Engineer in New Zealand is approximately 127,482 NZD (63,928 USD). Data is for 2025 and indicates a pre-tax value. The salary itself depends on multiple factors such as seniority, job performance, certifications, experience or any other bonuses. The value indicated is an average amount based on records we have in database. Real values may vary. The data is for orientational purposes.
What does Operating Engineer do?

Skills: operating engineer, heavy machinery, equipment operator, construction, maintenance, safety
Job industry: Construction
Job industry: Construction
How much does Operating Engineer make?
Salary details
How much does Operating Engineer make?Estimated Yearly Salary: 127,482 NZD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 10,624 NZD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,452 NZD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 61 NZD per hour
Comparing salary to last year:
Estimated Yearly Salary: 123,602 NZDEstimated Monthly Salary: 10,300 NZD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,377 NZD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 59 NZD per hour
Operating Engineer estimated salary in USD
For easier comparison here is an estimated salary in USD:Estimated Yearly Salary: 63,928 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 5,327 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,229 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 31 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
About these results
Data confidence is - relatively high Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
Want to check how your salary compares? Submit your own salary here
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Country:
Salary comparison to National average
New Zealand, a beautiful island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, is known for its stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and vibrant Maori culture. With a population of around 5 million people, it is sparsely populated compared to its size. The country covers an area of approximately 268,000 square kilometers and consists of two main islands, the North Island and the South Island, along with numerous smaller islands.
Estimated national average yearly salary is 80,807 NZD (48,460 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Operating Engineer job salary compared to average salary in New Zealand.
Comparison shows that a person working as Operating Engineer in New Zealand earns on average:
1.58 times the average salary (or 158% of average salary).
Estimated national average yearly salary is 80,807 NZD (48,460 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Operating Engineer job salary compared to average salary in New Zealand.
Comparison shows that a person working as Operating Engineer in New Zealand earns on average:
1.58 times the average salary (or 158% of average salary).
Is Operating Engineer a well paid job?
Yes, our data shows that Operating Engineer is a well paid job. With years and experience the salary might increase even further, resulting in higher satisfaction.What is considered a high salary for Operating Engineer?
High salary for Operating Engineer would be somewhere between 140,230 NZD and 184,849 NZD. However this is an estimation based on Gaussian Distribution.How much can you save working as Operating Engineer in New Zealand?
Living in New Zealand the approximate monthly expenses are: 1,938 USD. This amount covers basic needs such as food, housing, clothing, healthcare and education costs for a single person. No luxury expenses such as traveling, leisure, hobbies are included in the estimation.Estimated Yearly Salary: 127,482 NZD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 10,624 NZD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,452 NZD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 61 NZD per hour
By working as Operating Engineer a person can save up to 3,389 USD per month or 40,667 USD yearly. Values are pre-tax.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in New Zealand, see costs of living in New Zealand.
Salary comparison to region and neighbouring coutries
Country's neighbours are: Australia, Fiji, New Caledonia, Tonga, Samoa. To make it easier for comparison a conversion from local currency to USD has been made (conversion rates may vary).Estimated Yearly Salary for Operating Engineer
Salary increase per years of experience
Based on data available the salary increase per years of experience is as following- 0 years (beginner) equals base salary
- 1 to 5 years of experience yields
- 6 to 10 years of experience yields
- 11 to 15 years of experience yields
- 16 to 25 years of experience yields
- more than 25 years of experience yields
Top 10 highest salaries in New Zealand
(1,008,623 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
2. Cardiologist
(843,890 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
(810,735 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
(786,864 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
5. Neurosurgeon
(786,039 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
(769,764 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
7. Oncologist
(768,008 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
(767,682 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
(767,202 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
(766,991 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
Random salary:
Nuclear medical technologist (90,679 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
Project manager network operations (141,562 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
Nursing services instructor (171,142 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
Mental health technician (41,212 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
Paraplanner (58,549 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
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